Chicago Fire Review: The Solution to Everything (Season 7 Episode 8)
Severide is having trouble dealing with the death of his father, and it has some unexpected consequences on Chicago Fire Season 7 Episode 8, “The Solution to Everything.”
First of all, it’s having an effect on Stella. She’s sick with worry over the man she loves and she’s not sleeping because of it. She also confronts Casey about how he handled the fire and the fact that he told her to stand down.
The fact is, Casey’s right — he reminds her of how she almost died recently because of how her feelings for Severide clouded her judgment in a fire.
It absolutely seems fitting for Severide’s character that he’d shove his feelings down and not want to talk to her about his grief, and even though we’ve seen how strong of a couple these two have become, let’s realize — they’re still new. A loss like this is bound to make things complicated.
I’m really excited to see this challenge being explored for them as a couple, but I’m most excited to see it explored for Kelly. He has suffered so many losses — horrific ones — so it feels important to explore this one so deeply.
It shakes him when it matters. He doesn’t move when he should during that structure fire, and it nearly costs him his life. He honestly probably needs a break.
Foster understands what he’s going through more than Stella does, and thankfully, that’s all their bond seems to be about. I’ve enjoyed Foster being able to connect with the other characters in such individual and personal ways.
The thing is, I don’t know how much I buy that Severide would be so quick to open up to her over Stella. I can see him not wanting to open up at all, or else be willing to open up to both, but the way it’s handled doesn’t seem so fitting to me.
Meanwhile, the reporter is back hoping for Casey’s help again. It feels a bit like fate since Casey tells Severide he’s thinking of calling her and trying to decide if that’s okay. He notes that the divorce papers for him and Gabby have been signed and he feels like he should be able to move on.
And yes, sure. Agreed. But… as I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, there’s been too little time devoted to seeing Casey cope with that loss. This is part of it, but it seems a bit too soon.
What’s interesting, though, is that there’s a villain in our midst. What Casey is getting involved in with Naomi is becoming more complicated, and the episode closes with someone watching them. I’m certainly curious to see what happens next.
Other thoughts:
- Drunk Brett is my favorite Brett. It’s official.
- The guy with the dart in his head is one of the most traumatic things I feel like I’ve seen on this show. I mean, it’s very, very upsetting for some reason.
- Mr. September! By far, the funniest part of this episode is seeing the firefighters hunt for that calendar. Even better is that Donna keeps the calendar all to herself.
- I’m a fan of Chloe and Cruz together. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her.
What did you think of this episode of Chicago Fire? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC. The next episode (the Fall finale) airs Wednesday, December 5th.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.